The key actors on the panel weighed in on their character development. Giancarlo Esposito, who plays a baddie-goodie-baddie in turn, said he was "fascinated" by the mythological overtones and hoped viewers would "be inspired to lead (their lives) another way."

Off camera, Billy Burke, who plays Miles the avenger, said the cast bonds so closely that when somebody dies, it's "tough" on the survivors.

"Whether it's by accident or osmosis, we become quite close," he said. "Losing people for us is quite tough."

A fan asked if the cast spent a lot of time getting in shape to handle the physical challenges in a world where muscles, not machines, count.

"We didn't have the luxury for preparation," Burke said, and that serves the plot of a world thrown into sudden chaos. "There's a real safety net in not knowing what's going on."